I started with a ZX80, via MSDOS and Mac to Windows in the 90s.

If 'root' is ordinary language for administrative rights, I can only say that I speak English and French and I can't find a dictionary in either of those that thinks so:-)

I don't think I've ever said 'why don't you help me', though I have said 'thanks' on many occasions.

The reason that so many people need help is that the documentation with the IT is abysmal. There is no top to tail run down of its modus operandi. Compare it with the documentation for, say a Palm or any mobile phone. Therefore, people are forced to rely on help from folk here and helpful most people are.

I bought a book on Linux. It is not very useful because Maemo being a cut down version, half the commands and switches aren't present. Again, there appears to be no authoritative documentation for Maemo written in anything the Plain English Campaign could endorse.

I get the impression that Linux is akin to a religion for some people as much as a computer operating system. But also that there is a cultural clash, between the Linux buffs and people who thought they were buying a consumer device.

I am a proponent of RTFM. The trouble with the IT is WITFM...where is the flamin' manual?